Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-11-04

bic door yard, still struggling, faint
heartedly TO devise some means Ut over.
coming 'becty's obduracy, an unaccOunt-
able commotlon among her poultry drew
her steps toward the barn. 1t was family
lighted and Mis- 'Liakim's eyes Were fail.
ing she almost fell over n mans figure
reclining upon some straw, and spraDg
back with cry.
Don't you be alarmed, maam. | was
just about to take my leave. You see I've
been drinkin' some very strong tea and 1t
never agrees with my nervous system
have to sleep 1t off ~
The tramp was way worn and tattered,
but something familiar in his looks struck
Mis- 'Liakim IS eye.
She sprang to the door to open it wider
and get more light. Mistaking her pur-
pose the man pushed by her roughly and
hurriedly.
You needn't 90 to calm for help - he
said augrily. Il don't ask anything but
to be let alone, and you needn't begrudge
heap of straw in your barn to Il man
that has seen better days"
Here here wait a minute called
Mis- 'Liakim, but the man paid no heed.
Well We'll perhaps its better so" she
gaRped, sitting down, trembling, upon the
meal-chest.
at first | really thought twas him !
don't know now bat aChot it was, do (?
though when be looked right at me"
Little Mis- 'Liakim sat and trembled
while the hens cackled around her in the
sunshine that streamed through the door
way, and the hoarse, young rooster
mounted the ladder ana crowed triumph
antlp. 'Lecty was singing over, her bonnet-
making. and the words flOated out clear
and distinct; God moves in myster-
ious way his wonders to perform" Mis-
'Liakim arose, suddenly, and walked over
to the place where the tramp had lain.
An odor of spirituous liqucr fingered
about the hay. She took mp, gingerly,
between her thumb and forefnGer, an ex
tremely dirty handkerchief. 1t was of
fine linen and there were initials on one
corner. Mis- {iakim forgot to be ginger
ly rs she carried it toward the light.
The letters on the tramp's handkerchief,
black and distinct. Were y. II.
"Judge not the Lord by feeble seuse,"
sweetness, when she was interrupted by
her mothers entrance. Mis- 'Liakim had
watched and waited, as If in IL feverish
dream, the tramp's diminishing figure,
now losing it at a turn OF the road, ana in
the valley, now catching sight of il again
toiling up the steep ascent Of graveyard
hill, )" and, at last seeing it o. the open
highway dwindle, dwindle to a speck,
and disappear in u Observation-Disclosures. from
her eyes, Mis- 'Liakim devoutly hoped.
81 was always one that prophesied he'd
come to no good" she said as she sank
into chair from which 'Lecty had only
Just time to rescue old Miss FOWers Law
ender feather, but never did expect to
see Martha Jane Holidays son us I've
seen him this day
Ben You've seen Ben Mother ,"
cried 'Lecty.
She was a tall, pale girl, not especially
pretty, except for a dazzling clearness OF
complexion, and pair OF eyeS-of no par
ticular color, that were like limEid wells.
An indescrbable freshness and purity
about her were more striking than beau
tiful Reddish hair mot appreciated in
Bloomleld) supplied the touch of color
that she needed, and, altogether, as Cap'n
Isr'el Holiday was in the habit of saying,
IF 'Lecty want a beauty she took the
shine off them that was" Her long figure
was slightly stopped at the shoulders,
which gave her an OvcrWorked look like
her mother, her face was noticeably Sc
rene, and certain little air of decision, of
being equal TO any occasion, was as unlike
her mothers nervous energy as possible.
1t seemed probable that Mis- 'Liaklm had
some grounds for the great complaint
OF her life that 'Lecty was clear Saun-
ders.'
You could "a knocked me down with
a feather when | see who it was layin
there an the straw, ragged and dirty and
smelling OF liquor. And he made light OF
it and said he'd been drinkin' strong tea
that didn't agree with his nerves. If that
wa'n't jest like Ben Holiday for all the
world But he did show some feelin' of
shame, for he begged of me not to call
anybody and he cleared out in hurry"
Lecty had risen, dropped old Mrs. Fow-
ler's bonnet and trimmings in a heap upon
the floor. Thr color came and went in
her face.
Ben lying i'll the barn he must be sick |
Mother, do you know what you are say
ing,"
Liakim dryly.
she ran out through the woodshed to the
barn her mother was very severe upon
otfenses against the truth; even in her
painful bewilnerment.' Lecty recalled, Wv
idly, the time when her mother had
forced her, five-year-old child. to sit for
two long hours upon the old high pump
for telling very small lie.
Lecty bent over the heap of straw. A
very percepible odor still hung about it.
She hurried out into the road.
NO use loehin' for him, 'Lecty," called
her mothers voice behind her, II let the
poor fellow get long start before told
you. Lecty, think a girl ought to he
ashamed when man has never wrote to
her, or made any sign"
IF he hadn't taken to evil couress----n
Il promised you that | wouldn't CORE
spcnd with him. Itold him not to write.
I've wished that hadn't" said 'Lecty,
Mis- 'Liakim'S mother-heart was wrung
at sight of the pain in 'Lecty's face. But
she only said:
You'd ought to be thankful TO me,
then" and returned to the house, where
she went about her preparations for din
ner, briskly, and with great clatter
Lecty stood in the barndoor, with her
eyes fixed on the unchanging greenness
OF the great spruce tree across the read,
more vivid than ever III the shower of red
and yellow maple leaves, but sees moth
ing.
mo, it lcasH't Bcn' There is some
strange mistak. o Ben, Ben forgive me
for thinking that it could be so ~
Mis- I-iakim marveled at the serenity
OF her face when she returned 10 the
| house.
"TW0u't be long after this before she'll
begin to think 'twould be pretty nice to be
the Honorable Mis- Nahum Briggs +" she
SAID to herself, with Il thrill OF eXultatiou
| that quieted an uneasiness which had be-
gun To Cypress her.
She threw out several cautious little
conversational fee.ers in the course of the
day, but 'Lecty was utterly unresponsive.
shed ought to hear it from somebody